More ‘142s’ head for the scrapyard
JANUARY saw a large amount of activity concerning Northern’s Class 142 fleet, which had been drastically reduced in numbers during the last few weeks of 2019.
The seven sets stored temporarily at Barrow (Nos. 142003/007/028/034/040/046/056) ran to Heaton (Newcastle) in two convoys on January 4 and 6, although their stay in the North East was short-lived as all had arrived at Gascoigne Wood (North Yorkshire) by January 9.
Other units moving from Heaton to Gascoigne Wood in early January were Nos. 142014/032/063/067. Three others, Nos. 142024/054/062, arrived at Gascoigne Wood from Newton Heath (Manchester) on January 4.
Sims Metals took delivery of its first ‘Pacers’ on January 7, when Nos. 142015/042/066 arrived at its South Wales scrapyard having worked the 5Z42/06.20 Gascoigne Wood-Newport Docks. Further moves from Gascoigne Wood to South Wales took place on January 10, 14 and 16.
EMR’s Kingsbury site also took delivery of a number of units during the month (see table), while further examples have been acquired for preservation (see page 76).
Fourteen sets continue to see service in the Manchester area, having gained dispensation to operate in multiple with compliant units until
